Located on a quiet 3.3 acre parcel in Oklahoma City is the memorial that captures the tragic events of April 19, 1995 at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
A visit to the memorial is truly impactful and it begins as you enter the grounds. On the eastern side you pass through the 9:01 Gate. It represents the last minute of innocence, of safety. On the western side is the 9:03 Gate, which symbolizes the human spirit and resilience. These bookend 9:02, the moment of the explosion, the moment of change.
Above are the following words, “We come to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace and serenity”.
At The Field of Chairs you’ll view 168 empty chairs. Each individually forged so they would be as unique as each person represented. They are placed in nine rows representing the floors of the building and upon closer examination you will find 19 smaller chairs which represent the children who lost their lives that morning. The name of each victim is etched into the base and in the evening these glow with a peaceful light holding back the darkness.
While at the memorial make a point to visit the museum. It captures the vitality of the victims, survivors, and First Responders. And don’t miss the Survivor Tree, an American Elm that withstood the blast that fateful morning.
The Oklahoma National Memorial stands as a quiet remembrance, a tribute, and a reminder that our Nation’s history is filled with a wide variety of stories.
Our National Park Service provides stewardship over locations where these stories were played out and we should be thankful of the important role that the NPS provides to expose, educate and preserve these sites now and into the future.
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